Guidelines on COVID-19 vaccination in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases: a Brazilian Society of Rheumatology task force

Abstract Objective: To provide guidelines on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD) to rheumatologists considering specific scenarios of the daily practice based on the shared-making decision (SMD) process. Methods: A task force was constituted by 24 rheumatologists (panel members), with clinical and research expertise in immunizations and infectious diseases in immunocompromised patients, endorsed by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (BSR), to develop guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination in patients with IMRD. A consensus was built through the Delphi method and involved four rounds of anonymous voting, where five options were used to determine the level of agreement (LOA), based on the Likert Scale: (1) strongly disagree; (2) disagree, (3) neither agree nor disagree (neutral); (4) agree; and (5) strongly agree. Nineteen questions were addressed and discussed via teleconference to formulate the answers. In order to identify the relevant data on COVID-19 vaccines, a search with standardized descriptors and synonyms was performed on September 10th, 2021, of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and LILACS to identify studies of interest. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess the quality of nonrandomized studies. Results: All the nineteen questions-answers (Q&A) were approved by the BSR Task Force with more than 80% of panelists voting options 4—agree—and 5—strongly agree—, and a consensus was reached. These Guidelines were focused in SMD on the most appropriate timing for IMRD patients to get vaccinated to reach the adequate covid-19 vaccination response. Conclusion: These guidelines were developed by a BSR Task Force with a high LOA among panelists, based on the literature review of published studies and expert opinion for COVID-19 vaccination in IMRD patients. Noteworthy, in the pandemic period, up to the time of the review and the consensus process for this document, high-quality evidence was scarce. Thus, it is not a substitute for clinical judgment.

Influência das comorbidades na capacidade funcional de pacientes com artrite reumatoide / The impact of comorbidities on the physical function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Resumo Objetivos: Investigar a associação das comorbidades com a limitação da mobilidade e com a incapacidade funcional em pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR), bem como identificar o indicador de comorbidade mais apropriado para determinar essa associação. Métodos: Em um estudo transversal foram incluídos 60 pacientes com AR por um período de 11 meses. Comorbidades foram avaliadas por meio de três indicadores: (i) número total de comorbidades (NCom); (ii) índice de comorbidade de Charlson (ICC); e (iii) índice de comorbidade funcional (ICF). A atividade da doença foi avaliada pelo Índice de Atividade da Doença 28 (DAS-28/VHS). A capacidade funcional foi mensurada pelo Questionário de Avaliação da Saúde (HAQ) e a mobilidade foi mensurada pelos testes senta-levanta da cadeira cinco vezes (TSL) e timed get up and go (TUG). A análise estatística foi feita por meio de regressão múltipla log-linear Stepwise com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: No modelo final, apenas o fator comorbidades (ICF) esteve associado à mobilidade (TSL e TUG). O escore no ICF explicou 19,1% da variabilidade do TSL (coeficiente de determinação [R2] = 0,191) e 19,5% da variabilidade do TUG (R2 = 0,195). Em relação à incapacidade funcional (HAQ), os fatores associados foram o fator comorbidades (ICF) e a atividade da doença (DAS-28/VHS) que em conjunto explicaram 32,9% da variabilidade do escore do HAQ (R2 ajustado = 0,329). Conclusão: As comorbidades estão associadas com a limitação da mobilidade e a incapacidade funcional em pacientes com AR. O ICF demonstrou ser um indicador de comorbidade apropriado para determinar essa associação.

Abstract Objectives: To investigate the association of comorbidities with mobility limitation and functional disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to identify which comorbidity indicator is the most appropriate to determine this association. Methods: Sixty RA patients were enrolled in a cross-sectional study for a period of 11 months. Comorbidities were assessed using three indicators: (i) the total number of comorbidities (NCom); (ii) the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI); and (iii) the functional comorbidity index (FCI). Disease activity was assessed using the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS-28/ESR). Functional capacity was measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and mobility was measured using Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and Five Times Sit To Stand Test (FTSTS). Statistical analysis was performed using a stepwise log-linear multiple regression with a significance level of 5%. Results: In the final model, only comorbidity (FCI) was associated with mobility limitation (FTSTS and TUG). The FCI score explained 19.1% of the variability of the FTSTS (coefficient of determination [R2] = 0.191) and 19.5% of the TUG variability (R2 = 0.195). With regard to functional disability (HAQ), the associated factors were comorbidity (FCI) and disease activity (DAS-28/ESR), which together explained 32.9% of the variability of the HAQ score (adjusted R2 = 0.329). Conclusion: Comorbidities were associated with mobility limitation and functional disability in RA patients. The FCI proved to be an appropriate comorbidity indicator to determine this association.

Frequencia de anticorpos antiparvovirus B19 em artrite reumatoide e lupus eritematoso sistemico / Frequency of antiparvovirus B19 antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Objetivo: Determinar a frequência de anticorpos antiparvovírus B19 (B19) em pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR) e lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES), e a possível correlação da soropositividade anti-B19 com a atividade das doenças e a qualidade de vida. Pacientes e métodos: Foram utilizadas amostras séricas de 57 pacientes com AR, 45 com LES e 65 controles sadios. Empregou-se protocolo com dados clínicos, os índices Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) e Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Realizou-se a sorologia anti-B19 por ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 42,74 14,09 anos, e a dos controles foi de 38,38 13,42 anos.Tinham doença ativa 79 (77,5%) pacientes, e doença inativa 23 (22,5%).Anti-B19 (IgG) foi reagente em 49 (86,0%) IC 95% (77,0 - 95,0)% pacientes com AR, em 38 (84,4%) IC 95% (73,9 - 95,0)% com LES e em 40 (61,5%) IC 95% (49,7 - 73,4)% controles (p = 0,002). Anti-B19 (IgM) foi reagente em 3 (5,3%) IC 95% (0,0 - 11,1)% pacientes com AR, em 7 (15,6%) IC 95% (5,0 - 26,2)% pacientes com LES e em 1 (1,5%) IC 95% (0,0 - 4,5)% controle (p = 0,011). Não houve correlação da reatividade anti-B19 com a atividade das doenças, os índices DAS 28, SLEDAI e HAQ. Conclusão: O presente estudo demonstrou que a população avaliada está exposta à infecção pelo B19, o que demanda atenção com suas manifestações, principalmente entre os pacientes que apresentam maior risco, como os imunossuprimidos. .

Objective: To determine the frequency of antiparvovírus B19 (B19) antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the possible correlation of anti-B19 seropositivity with disease activity and quality of life. Patients and methods: Serum samples from 57 patients with RA, 45 with SLE and 65 healthy controls were used. We applied protocol with clinical data, and the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) indexes. The anti-B19 serology was done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The mean age of patients was 42.74 ± 14.09 years, and of controls was 38.38 ± 13.42 years. 79 patients had active disease (77.5%), and 23 had inactive disease (22.5%). Anti-B19 (IgG) was positive in 49 (86.0%; CI 95% 77.0 - 95.0) RA patients, 38 (84.4%; CI 95% 73.9 - 95.0) SLE patients, and 40 (61.5%; CI 95% 49.7 - 73.4) controls (p = 0.002). Anti-B19 (IgM) was positive in 3 (5.3%; CI 95% 0.0 - 11.1) RA patients, in 7 (15.6%; CI 95% 5.0 - 26,2) SLE patients, and in 1 (1.5%; CI 95% 0.0 - 4.5) control (p = 0.011).There was no correlation of anti-B19 reactivity with disease activity and with DAS 28, HAQ and SLEDAI indexes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the studied population is exposed to infection by B19, which demands attention with its manifestations, especially among patients at greatest risk, such as those immunosuppressed. .

Retocolite ulcerativa e artrite reumatoide: uma rara associação - relato de caso / Ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis: a rare association - case report

A retocolite ulcerativa é uma desordem autoimune de etiologia desconhecida. Embora o intestino grosso represente o principal foco de autoimunidade, trata-se, na verdade, de uma doença sistêmica com inúmeras manifestações extraintestinais, inclusive articulares. A associação frequente entre diversas doenças autoimunes em um mesmo paciente é descrita na literatura. No entanto, é rara a coexistência entre retocolite ulcerativa e artrite reumatoide. Os autores relatam um caso de retocolite ulcerativa associada à artrite reumatoide em que a colite precedeu em 12 anos o aparecimento da artropatia inflamatória.

Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disorder of unknown etiology. Although the large intestine is the major focus of autoimmunity, resulting in chronic diarrhea, that is actually a systemic disease, with numerous extraintestinal manifestations, such as articular involvement. The frequent association of a number of autoimmune diseases in the same patient has been described. However, the coexistence of ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis is rare. The authors report a case of ulcerative colitis associated with rheumatoid arthritis, in which colitis occurred 12 years before the onset of inflammatory arthropathy.

Síndrome de Hughes-Stovin / Hughes-Stovin syndrome

A síndrome de Hughes-Stovin é uma condição rara, de causa desconhecida, caracterizada pela associação de múltiplos aneurismas de artéria pulmonar e trombose venosa profunda. Alguns autores consideram tal entidade como uma forma incompleta de apresentação da doença de Behçet, devido à semelhança entre os achados radiológicos e anatomopatológicos do comprometimento pulmonar. Os autores relatam um caso de síndrome de Hughes-Stovin cujo primeiro evento trombótico venoso antecedeu em cinco anos o aparecimento dos aneurismas pulmonares.

Hughes-Stovin syndrome is a rare disorder of unknown etiology characterized by the association of multiple pulmonary artery aneurysms and deep venous thrombosis. Some authors consider this entity an incomplete form of Behcet's disease due to the similarities between the radiologic and anatomopathological findings of pulmonary involvement. The authors report a case of Hughes-Stovin syndrome whose first venous thrombotic event preceded the development of pulmonary aneurysms by five years.